Henning: Henne just as good as Matt Ryan

There are grumblings in some circles -- among fans, not anywhere inside the Dolphins organization -- that maybe the Dolphins would have done well to pick Matt Ryan with the first overall pick.

Ryan, who went to the Atlanta Falcons with the third overall pick, is playing pretty well now. His projected stats indicate he's on pace for a 3,000-yard season.

But the Dolphins are quite happy with their pick of Jake Long No. 1 and Chad Henne later, thanks very much. That's because the Dolphins think they got a franchise left tackle and a franchise quarterback in Chad Henne in the second round.

"We think Chad Henne can play just as well as [Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco] can," Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning said just minutes ago. "I'll tell you that right now. I think when he gets his opportunity he will play well. Every time we've given him an opportunity, he has played well. We also like Chad Pennington. So I think the quarterback situation here as it stands right now is better than it was Feb. 1st. I'll tell you that right now."

I believe if Brett Favre had not changed his mind about retiring, Henne would be Miami's starter now. How? Well, it would mean Pennington woul dhave stayed with the Jets and Henne was beating out both Josh McCown and John Beck in the preseason.

Henning didn't want to go there today but did say, "Without being obtuse, if we didn't have our No. 1 quarterback, we'd be starting our No. 2 quarterback. And Henne is our No. 2 quarterback."